Schematic illustration of a boat sailing in the sea.

Dusty Air

What Is in the Air?

 

Materials

  • flashlight

Try This

  1. Turn on the flashlight.
  2. Darken the room.
  3. Direct the light beam on an object and look at the air space between the flashlight and the object. What do you see?
Schematic illustration of a flashlight.

What's Going On?

When you looked at the flashlight beam, you saw tiny particles (very tiny pieces) floating through the air. The Earth's air is not just pure gas. It also contains particles of dirt, sand, cloth, metal, wood, plastic, ash, hair, and other materials. When the air becomes full of manufactured particles, such as soot, ash, or chemicals, we say it is polluted. Polluted air can be harmful to people and pets. That's one reason why spending time outdoors, opening windows, and having lots of indoor plants is good for people.

Schematic illustration of directing the light beam on an object and look at the air space between the flashlight and the object.